Metro Connections
Connecting between Metro and D.C.-Area Airports and Other Transportation Services
The Metro system is great for getting around the Washington, D.C. area, but it's also an important link to other transportation facilities and services: three major airports, MARC commuter rail service, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter rail service, Amtrak passenger rail service, intercity bus service, and local bus systems. Union Station is a key transportation hub, as well as being a popular destination in itself.
Connections between Metrorail and Metrobus are available at all Metrorail stations. An easy way to find your connection is to use Metro's online Trip Planner to plan your trip.
For information about the many local bus systems in the region, see the Local Bus Systems page.
Overview
The map below shows the Metrorail system in relation to other transportation systems serving the Washington, D.C. area. (The map is not to scale.)
Airports
The three airports serving the Washington, D.C. area are Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI).
Reagan National
Metrorail goes directly to Reagan National Airport (Blue Line, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station). Reagan National is also a short taxicab ride from Washington and close-in suburbs, and Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland taxis are available at the exits of each terminal.
Washington Dulles
Metrorail does not go directly to Washington Dulles airport. Service to the airport is part of the planned Phase 2 construction of Metrorail's Silver Line.
Phase 1 of the Silver Line began service July 26, 2014. This new service ends at Wiehle-Reston East station.
Fairfax Connector routes 981 and 983 provide service seven days a week from Wiehle-Reston East station to Dulles Airport, with stops at Reston Town Center, Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride, and Udvar-Hazy Center.
The Silver Line Express Bus offers additional bus service between Dulles Airport and Wiehle-Reston East station.
Point-To-Point Schedule -- The Wiehle Metro to Dulles Airport Schedule combines Fairfax Connector and Silver Line Express service into one, customizable schedule.
Metrobus Route 5A provides service from L'Enfant Plaza station to Dulles Airport, with stops at Rosslyn station and Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride lot. Schedule.
More information about Silver Line service from WMATA.
BWI
Metrorail does not go directly to BWI. Rail transportation between BWI Airport and Union Station, on Metrorail's Red Line, is provided by Amtrak and MARC Penn Line trains.
Directions to the Airports
Directions for driving to the airports, as well as public transportation options:
BWI Airport Ground Transportation
Reagan National Location/Directions
Washington Dulles Airport Location/Directions
Rail Services
Amtrak passenger rail service, MARC and VRE Commuter Rail Services, and Metrorail all meet at Union Station. In addition to Union Station, Metrorail connects with these services at these Metrorail stations:
Amtrak: King Street (Yellow and Blue Lines), New Carrollton (Orange Line).
MARC: Rockville (Red Line), Silver Spring (Red Line), Greenbelt (Green Line), College Park-U. of Md.(Green Line).
VRE: Crystal City (Yellow and Blue Lines), King Street (Yellow and Blue Lines) Franconia/Springfield (Blue Line), L'Enfant Plaza (Yellow, Blue, Orange, and Green Lines).
For more information about the Metrorail stations listed above, see Metro's interactive system map.
Bus Services
Metrorail connects with several intercity bus services at Union Station. Connections to Metrobus and local bus services are available at most stations. A list of Metrorail stations with services available, including a PDF bus map for each station, is available on Metro's Stations page.
Carsharing
Through a partnership with Zipcar, Metro offers carsharing at select Metrorail stations. A list of stations, including carsharing information for each, is available on Metro's Stations page.
Bikesharing
Capital Bikeshare is the the rapidly expanding, regional bikesharing system in the Washington, D.C. area. Many neighborhoods around Metrorail stations are served by Capital Bikeshare. For more information and a station map, see the Capital Bikeshare website.
Union Station
Union Station combines a busy urban railroad station with over 130 retail shops and restaurants in a magnificent Beaux-Arts building. Union Station was opened in 1907 and beautifully renovated in the 1980's. The most visited destination in the nation's capital, Union Station plays host to exhibitions, cultural events and private special events such as the Presidential Inaugural Ball and citywide galas. It's a special treat to visit when the station is decorated for the holidays.
Union Station is also a stop on Metrorail's Red Line, connecting Metrorail with Amtrak and the MARC and VRE rail systems. More about transportation services at Union Station.
The station is located just a few blocks from the Capitol building, at 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington D.C.